This is true about the effectiveness of the drugs, and if it’s true about the nursing homes it’s a major scandal. Medications known to date that suppress psychotic symptoms in patients without Alzheimer’s and similar dementia diseases of the elderly, do nothing to help similar symptoms which result from these diseases. But it’s a profit stream for the nursing home pharmacies, and frustrated doctors might prescribe them “just in case” even when it becomes apparent they aren’t doing any good and are causing the patient only discomfort.
It is tough because the feeble and demented can’t give much feedback about how they are feeling.
My Great Aunt complains of pain, but she can’t lucidly show anyone where it is. They give her mental meds. They seem to calm her down, so I suppose they help her feel better, but she can’t really articulate much.
I am not her Conservator and can’t do much agitating on her behalf.
like all medicines, sometimes you have to use them.
For example, a small dose of anti psychotics for delusions and paranoid symptoms from dementia
But a lot of nursing homes use them to keep the patients quiet because the staff is lazy, or the nursing home is so understaffed that the alternative (behavioral treatment) is impossible.